Free Staters Hold Conference, Consider Montana
The Free State Project (FSP) wants libertarian-based activists to take over a lightly-populated state. In May, activists who want a Western state selected held "The Grand Western Conference" in Missoula. The conference illustrated the dilemma facing Free Staters. While some approach FSP from an academic and political-organizing framework, the group's slap-in-the-face approach to established government also appeals to those who favor rebellion over political reform.
Currently, FSP is examining 10 states, including Montana , with the idea that they will ultimately move 20,000 people to the selected state. With those people in place, the group hopes to repeal laws restricting access to guns, to legalize drugs and prostitution, and to privatize many state functions.
Calling All "Patriots"
Over 100 people attended The Grand Western Conference (GWC), which featured national "patriot" speakers. One was J.J. Johnson, a major player in the militia movement in the 1990s. He was the main force behind the Ohio Unorganized Militia, and he even testified before a congressional subcommittee on the militia movement with the Militia of Montana's John Trochmann. Because Johnson is African American, the militia movement liked to use him to try and deflect charges of racism. Johnson once advocated gathering intelligence on law enforcement officers, judges and politicians. "The most important reason you can't just go out here and shoot these people," he said, "is because ammunition is just too expensive. And don't hang'em either. Rope's too expensive." He left the militia movement in the mid-1990s, saying it was ineffective. After bouncing around in Libertarian-Party circles, he began publishing The Sierra Times, an online publication reporting on right-wing issues.
Other speakers included Vin Suprynowicz, a nationally-known Libertarian columnist. Suprynowicz has defended militia groups in his writings, including the Arizona Viper Militia. In 1996, 12 members of the Viper Militia were arrested on various conspiracy and weapons charges after allegedly plotting to destroy government buildings. Suprynowicz also wrote the book The Ballad of Carl Drega, which theorized that the government causes "patriots" to take action. Carl Drega was a New Hampshire "patriot" who killed two police officers, a judge and a newspaper editor in 1997. Other national speakers included Claire Wolfe, whose 101 Things to Do ĪTil the Revolution is a favorite book of "patriot" types, and Nancy Lord Johnson, J.J. Johnson's wife and the Libertarian Party's 1992 vice-presidential candidate. Jason Sorens, founder of the Free State Project, also addressed the GWC.
Two Montana politicians, Jerry O'Neil and Joe Balyeat, also spoke at the GWC. Free Staters sing the praises of state Sen. Jerry O'Neil (R-Columbia Falls). They point to him as a person who was unsuccessful running for office as a Libertarian, however, he has kept his same values since winning as a Republican. State Rep. Joe Balyeat (R-Bozeman) discussed his anti-tax work. With appearances by O'Neil and Balyeat, FSP believes it has support in the Montana Republican Party, even though Gov. Judy Martz has shunned the group and suggested it pick another state.
Idaho's Ingri Cassel sported a "Tyranny Response Team" T-shirt while attending the GWC. Cassel and her husband Don Harkins publish the Idaho Observer, a "patriot" publication. Another attendee was Jim Turnbull of Alberta, Canada. He has led the opposition to Canadian gun registration and is promoting the creation of a "Republic of Alberta," which is similar to a Free State Project for Canada. The Missoula Independent reported a man with a swastika tattoo attended the GWC, as did a man who praised the Free State Project as launching the Second American Revolution.
Making the Conference "Grand"
From the GWC's inception, the Militia of Montana circulated announcements and agendas for the event and advertised the conference on its website. Other right-wing activists also helped with planning and executing the event.
The Montana Libertarian Party hosted the GWC, which fits with FSP's strategy of recruiting in the Libertarian ranks. Since libertarianism supports individualism, unrestricted access to guns, and claims to be carrying on the legacy of the Founding Fathers, militia activists commonly use it as a way into the political mainstream. For instance, Larry Chezem ran as a Montana Libertarian candidate for Flathead County Sheriff in 2002. Chezem admitted he was a militia member and that he supplied ammunition to Project 7, a militia group that reportedly stockpiled illegal firepower and compiled a hit list of local criminal justice employees. Along with hosting the GWC, the Montana Libertarian Party's chairman, Mike Fellows, had Jason Sorens, FSP's founder, on his public-access television show in December 2002. Also, Stan Jones, a perennial candidate for office as a Montana Libertarian, has endorsed FSP. Jones is best known for turning himself blue after buying into the "patriot" fears surrounding Y2K and ingesting homemade colloidal silver.
Gary Marbut of the Montana Shooting Sports Association also helped organize the GWC. Not only did he offer to get conference goers access to a local shooting range, but he invited them to camp at his ranch. Marbut, whose writings show up in Militia of Montana publications and J.J. Johnson's Sierra Times, also shared with FSP a plan he crafted for Montana to secede from the union. Since the GWC, Marbut has posted a message of welcome to Free Staters on the Shooting Sports Association's website.
Will Montana be Selected?
FSP will select a state when its membership reaches 5,000. At the GWC, there was a straw poll taken, and Montana received the most votes for a Western state. Free Staters continue to circulate job openings in Montana schools, including positions in Great Falls, Jordan, St. Regis and Wisdom. With the new found enthusiasm for Montana, Free Staters have suggested having an annual meeting in Montana, either in Missoula or Helena.